Norovirus Lawyer & Attorney : Marler Clark : Norovirus Blog

Norovirus is a serious virus that causes nausea, diarrhea and severe cramps. This disease, often associated with cruise ship sickness, has made resurgence in the last few weeks. This time it is affecting retirement/assisted living homes. The virus has turned up in several of these facilities in Florida and South Carolina.

Communities in and around Sarasota, Florida and Charleston, South Carolina have reported an increase in the activity of the virus in the community. Schools and work place absences have increased in the last few weeks. Now, the virus has entered the retirement community where it can cause severe damage to a weak immune system.

Health officials are tracking the progress of this virus to see if it is going to spread quickly through the country. Norovirus will either stop as quickly as it started or spread like wildfire. There is no distinct pattern to the virus at all.

The best way to avoid the virus is to wash your hands continually throughout the day. Soap and water are your best defense. Carry hand sanitizer with you for convenience, but remember soap and water is a better solution. Norovirus has been associated with death in the past. It is very important to use as many preventative measures as possible to avoid the risk of getting or spreading the virus.

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The Wake County Environmental Services has confirmed that four out of the 150 people who became ill while attending the YMCA Youth and Government conference at the Sheraton Hotel over the weekend had the norovirus.

Lab results received Monday confirms the results and the County continues to investigate the source of the norovirus and has put precautionary measures in place to reduce the spread of illness.  On Saturday, more than 150 youth and advisors reported experiencing nausea and vomiting while attending the conference. They were evaluated and treated by Wake EMS at the hotel. Six people were hospitalized.

"Norovirus investigations are complex," said Wake County Environmental Health and Safety director Andre Pierce. "We have to interview everyone involved, look at lab samples and work closely with food handlers and preparers. In some cases, we never definitively find the source of the norovirus."  The County's epidemiological team has interviewed 152 people and have inspected several food service establishments.

The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In most people the illness is self-limiting with symptoms lasting for about one or two days. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults.

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Officials are limiting access to the Croasdaile Village retirement community after dozens of residents became ill with what's believed to be norovirus.

The facility has 630 residents - which range from independent living, assisted living and nursing care residents. Of those, about 80 residents have - or have had - the illness. About 50 of 300 employees have also been affected.

To try and stop the spread, officials are working closely with the Durham Health Department which recommended limiting access to the facility. A command center has been set up and officials say residents can get anything they need brought to them. Family members can also drop things off.

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Visitation has been restricted on a unit at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center this week because of an outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug that causes vomiting, diarrhea and fever.

Lynne Zultanky, spokeswoman for the hospital, said staff identified the symptoms of norovirus in patients on a transitional care unit on Friday, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the Norfolk Department of Public Health on Monday. She said a dozen patients were identified with symptoms of norovirus, along with 10 staff members.

No further admissions are being made to the transitional care unit, and no visitors have been allowed on that unit. Zultanky said the hospital is working with the health department to prevent the spread of the virus.

John Monroe, epidemiologist with the Norfolk health department, said the restrictions will be in place until three days have passed with no new illnesses.

Norovirus is a viral illness that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping, low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. It usually lasts one or two days and rarely has complications.

Larry Hill, spokesman for the eastern region of the Virginia Department of Health, said norovirus outbreaks are more common in late fall, winter and early spring because people congregate together, making the virus easier to spread, particularly in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, day care centers and schools.

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